Bangladesh government refused to allow India to access Chittagong port unless the latter resolves Teesta river issue.
Giving access to Chittagong would benefit trade and development in IndiaÂ’s northeast region, as well as to Bangladesh. India had been asking for access to this port for over a decade.
An agreement to this effect was supposed to be signed during Prime Minister Manmohan SinghÂ’s visit to the country in September. But this could not happen because West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee backtracked and opposed the signing of the deal.
Banerjee stood against the raising of water share for Bangladesh from 25,000 cusecs (cubic feet a second) to 50,000 cusecs. She said the treaty was against the interest of West Bengal.
India earlier requested Bangladesh government at least to allow smaller ships to operate between Chittagong and Vizag to help faster movement of goods.
India had also been wanting to use Chittagong for transit. At present, most of the trade through sea happens via Singapore, inflating the trans-shipment cost.
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